Gov. Deval Patrick said the state is unlikely to be able to step in and avert some of the impacts of a federal government shutdown.

When asked by a reporter Tuesday whether there were steps the state could take to mitigate the impact of a federal shutdown on Massachusetts, Patrick responded, “You know how tight our budget is, and the answer to that is largely no.”

Patrick said the state could also be affected due to the approximately 4,000 people who work in state government who are paid wholly or partially by federal grants. He said some of them work in areas such as public health and safety, for example, food inspectors.

“We’re trying to figure out whether we can hang on to any of those people,” Patrick said.

Patrick said he participated in a conference call Monday with White House officials and other governors. “Everyone’s frustrated, wondering what happens to services for our most vulnerable citizens and realizing that in most states we’re unable to close that gap,” Patrick said.